Manager, Commercialization Project

Welcome to CTI Foods, where quality, service, and people are at the heart of everything we do. We are a leading food manufacturing company, dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible products and our employees with a rewarding career. 

At CTI, we passionately believe that people are our #1 ingredient. We provide a positive and supportive work environment, opportunities for growth and advancement, and a competitive compensation package. We value our employees' contributions and strive to create a culture of respect, teamwork, and excellence.

Whether you're interested in a career in production, quality control, or management, we have a variety of opportunities available. We believe that our success is a result of our focus on quality, service, and people, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers and employees with excellence.

If you're looking for a rewarding career in the food manufacturing industry, look no further than CTI Foods! Join our team and become a part of a company that values quality, service, and people.

The Project Management Leader will oversee and drive critical initiatives related to producing, packaging, and distributing cooked foods and kettle products. This role is essential in delivering operational excellence, ensuring food safety compliance, and supporting growth through new product launches, facility upgrades, and cross-functional projects. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in ready-to-eat (RTE) or heat-and-serve food environments and thrives in a fast-paced, highly regulated setting.

1. Lead cross-functional projects involving cooked product lines, kettle production systems, thermal processing, packaging, and cold chain logistics.
2. Manage timelines, budgets, and resources for initiatives such as equipment installation, product commercialization, capacity expansion, and process improvements.
3. Collaborate with R&D, QA/QC, Operations, Maintenance, Procurement, and Sales to ensure seamless project execution and alignment with business goals.
4. Support commercialization of new cooked and kettle products by coordinating trials, documentation, labeling compliance, and scale-up efforts.
5. Implement Lean manufacturing principles to optimize throughput, reduce waste, and improve product yields without compromising food safety.
6. Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, and other relevant regulatory standards across all project phases.
7. Evaluate and implement technologies (e.g., steam kettles, pasteurization systems, CIP systems) to increase automation and reduce manual labor.
8. Track and report KPIs such as production efficiency, cost per pound, downtime, scrap, and on-time launch rates.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

What we need from you:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s degree or MBA a plus).
• 5–8 years of project management experience in food manufacturing, with a strong focus on cooked or RTE products and kettle operations.
• Experience with USDA/FDA regulatory requirements, HACCP programs, and thermal processing validation.
• PMP certification preferred; Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing experience is a strong asset.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.

What you'll receive from us: 

• Competitive salary of $125,000 - $140,000 depending on experience
• Unlimited PTO*
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Telehealth Services
• 401K Matching
• FSA & HSA available
• EAP and wellbeing support
• Tuition reimbursement program available